Objective To observe how exogenous estrogen influences the distribution and the expression of NOS positive neurons in the supraoptic nuclei of hypothalamus in the overiectomized female rats. Methods The 2-3-month-old female rats(n=40) were selected as the healthy and nulli-copulatory experimental animals. Rats were divided into following groups: normal control group(n=10), ovariectomized control group(n=10), and two experimental groups that have been injected with estrogen for post-operative 40 days(n=10) and for post-operative 70 days(n=10). Finally, all the animals were infused and the brains were removed. Immunohistochemical (SABC) method was adopted to count the number of NOS poitive neurons and observed the NOS poitive neuronal morphology under the light microscope. The image analysis system was used to test the average gray value of immunoreactivity in NOS positive neurons. Results In the ovariectomized control group, the density of NOS positive neurons in supraoptic nucleus was significantly increased and their shapes were bigger than that of the normal control group(P<0.05). The density and the form of the NOS positive neurons in supraoptic nucleons had no apparent difference between the estrogen for post-operative 40 days group and the ovariectomizeed control group(P>0.05).In the group after estrogen-injection 2 months compared with the normal control group, and the ovariectomized control group, both of the NOS positive neurons' density and the size become significantly decreased, and the staining of cells was lesser in the group injected with estrogen for post-operation 70 days. Conclusion The present results suggest that exogenous estrogen may influence the distribution and the expression of NOS positive neurons in supraoptic nucleus of hypothalamus of ovariectomized female rats.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosidiums(TWP) in treatment of children with henoch -schonlein prupura nephritis (HSPN) and effects on theeir imunologic func-tion.Methods Sixty -seven children with HSPN and 26 healthy children were recruited and HSPN subjects were randomly divided into control group (n =35) and treatment group (n =32).Children in control group were given rest, antianaphylaxis and anticoagulation regular treatment . And Children in treatment group were given TWP 1.5 mg? kg-1 ? d-1 , divided into three times, as well as the regular treatment.After 12 -week treatment, the total remission, side effect and the serum IL -10, IL -8 and TNF -αwere recorded and compared between the HSPN group and healthy group.Results The total remission were 90.6% and 50.3% in the treatment group and control group respectively , which showed that treatment group was much higher (P <0.05).The serum immune function (IL -8,IL -10 and TNF -α) were significantly improved in both of the two group(P <0.05), which indicated a much higher improvement was found in the treatment group (P <0.05).But the IL -8,IL -10 and TNF -αwas statistically different from the healthy children (P <0.05). Three case of elevated transaminase and 2 cases of neutropenia were found during the treatment in the treatment group . Conclusion TWP had percise efficacy and slight side effect on children with HSPN and the immune function could be improved by TWP.

This study was purposed to explore the biological effects suppressing growth and inducing apoptosis of Chinese medicine compound FFJZ on leukemia cell line K562 and its possible mechanisms of FFJZ. The growth status of K562 cells cultured in vitro was determined by trypan blue exclusion test; the suppressive effect of FFJZ on K562 cells was assayed by MTT method; the inducing apoptosis of FFJZ on K562 cells was detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that after K562 cells were treated with FFJZ in certain concentration range, the inhibited rate of FFJZ on K562 cell growth was remarkably increased along with enhancement of FFJZ, the IC(50) value of FFJZ on K562 cells was 5.6 mg/ml after treatment for 48 hours. At 4 mg/ml of FFJZ the early apoptosis predominated in K562 cells, at 8 mg/ml of FFJZ the late apoptosis ratio significantly increased. As compared with control group without FFJZ, there was significant difference (p < 0.01). It is concluded that the FFJZ in range of certain concentration can suppress growth and proliferation of K562 cells and induce their apoptosis in concentration-dependent manner, the mechanism of which may be associated to inducing apoptosis of K562 cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells

The study was purposed to investigate the synergistic reversal effect of Chinese medicine compound FFJZ in combination with cyclosporine A (CsA) on the multidrug resistance (MDR) of human leukemia K562/VCR cell line, as to search effective combination of MDR modulators. MTT (methyl-thazol-tetrazolinum) assay were used to determine the cytotoic and reversal effects on K562/VCR cell line, FCM (flow cytometry) was used to assess the intracellular adriamycin (ADM) concentration and the expression of P-gp in cells. The results showed that the FFJZ in combination with CsA could reverse the drug-resistance of K562/VCR cells and increase the sensitivity K562/VCR cells to adriamycin. They had not the toxic effect on the K562/VCR cells in effective dose and no significant influence on P-gp positive rate of the K562/VCR cells. It is concluded that the FFJZ in combination with CsA may become a safe and effective multidrug resistance-reversing agent with low toxicity in leukemia chemotherapy.
Cyclosporine ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Vincristine ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDTraditionally, displaced greater tuberosity fractures are treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Arthroscopic treatment and outcome of greater tuberosity fractures is far from comprehensive. The objective of the current study was to assess the surgical procedure and outcome of an arthroscopic method in the treatment of isolated greater tuberosity fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2006 to December 2009, 23 patients with isolated greater tuberosity fractures were treated with an arthroscopic procedure using three cannulated screws combined with washers. During follow-up, radiographs and the constant shoulder score (CSS) were used to evaluate the outcome.

RESULTSThree cannulated screws with washers were used to fix the fractured fragment of the greater tuberosity under an arthroscope. All incisions healed at primary intention without infection. The mean duration of follow-up was 20 months (range 18 - 36 months). Fracture fixation was excellent, and fractures healed 2 - 6 months (mean 3.8 months) after surgery. At final follow-up, the CSS was 92 (range 86 - 100).

CONCLUSIONSThe described arthroscopic procedure provides anatomical reduction and firm fixation for isolated greater tuberosity fractures. It is a successful and minimally invasive procedure with satisfying therapeutic effects as well as excellent functional recovery.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo understand the current epidemiological characteristics as well as the trends of stomach cancer deaths in China.

METHODSThe data of stomach cancer mortalities in 2004 - 2005, from 158 sampling areas in the Third National Retrospective Sampling Survey of Death Causes in China, were analyzed and compared with the results from previous two national surveys.

RESULTSThe crude and age-standardized death rates of stomach cancer were 24.71/100 000 (35 250/142 660 482) and 16.16/100 000, respectively, accounted for 18.19% (35 250/193 841) and ranking third of cancer causes in the national sampling areas of China in 2004 - 2005. Those crude death rate increased by 42.01% while the age-standardized death rate decreased by 8.70% compared to the results in 1973 - 1975 (17.40/100 000 and 17.70/100 000), and both decreased 1.79% and 25.74% from 1990 - 1992 (25.16/100 000 and 21.76/100 000), respectively. For urban residents of the sampling areas, the crude and age-standardized death rates of stomach cancer were 22.98/100 000 (11 005/47 899 806) and 13.63/100 000, accounted for 15.03% (11 005/71 936) of cancer causes in 2004 - 2005, which increased by 18.21% and decreased by 31.16% from 1973 - 1975 (19.44/100 000 and 19.80/100 000), and increased by 18.21% and decreased by 11.15% from 1990 - 1992 (19.44/100 000 and 15.34/100 000), respectively. While for rural residents in the sampling areas, the crude and age-standardized death rates were 25.59/100 000 (24 245/94 760 676) and 17.64/100 000, accounted for 19.89% (24 245/121 905) of cancer causes, both increased by 53.97% and 3.76% from 1973 - 1975 (16.62/100 000 and 17.00/100 000), and both decreased by 5.78% and 27.59% from 1990 - 1992 (27.16/100 000 and 24.36/100 000), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe current stomach cancer is still one of predominant cancers in China. The consistently substantial decreases in age-standardized death rates of stomach cancer might prompt the beneficial impact on reducing the risks for that cancer by the social economical development during recent decades in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Data Collection ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sampling Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the mechanism of'homotherapy for heteropathy'Zhigancao Decoction in the treatment of coronary heart disease arrhythmia and pulmonary fibrosis by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods All the active components of Zhigancao Decoction were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)and Herbal Compendium(HERB).The SwissTargetPrediction database was used to predict the targets.Cytoscape software was used to construct the drugs-targets network diagram and network topology analysis was performed to obtain the core drug targets.The disease targets of coronary heart disease,arrhythmia and pulmonary fibrosis were obtained in GeneCards and OMIM databases,and the intersection targets of Chinese medicine and disease were obtained by Venny software.The intersection targets were imported into the STRING online database to construct a protein-protein interaction network,and the data were imported into Cytoscape software for visualization and screening of core targets.Gene ontology(GO)function enrichment analysis and kyto encyclo-pedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the intersection targets using the Metascape database.Molecular docking verification and heat map visualization were performed on the core intersection target and the core drug target through the CB-DOCK2 online platform.Results A total of 137 active components of Zhigancao Decoction were screened out,and 848 corresponding drug targets were obtained by removing repeated values.A total of 9 962 targets of coronary heart disease,5 735 targets of arrhythmia and 7 722 targets of pulmonary fibrosis were obtained.A total of 362 drug-disease intersection targets were obtained by Venny platform processing.The potential core targets with higher degree values were GAPDH,IL-6,ALB,STAT3,TNF,MMP-9 and so on by network topology analysis.GO functional enrichment analysis showed that the main biological processes(BP)involved in Zhigancao Decoction'homotherapy for heteropathy'were the response to hormones,the positive regulation of circulatory system process,phosphorus metabolism process,the response to exogenous stimulation,and the response to organic matter,the main cellular components(CC)include lipid rafts,receptor complexes,cytoplasmic perinuclear regions,dendrites,membrane sides,etc.,the main molecular functions(MF)include protein kinase activity,kinase binding,protein homopolymerization activity,nuclear receptor activity,heme binding,etc..KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the main signaling pathways involved in Zhigancao Decoction'homotherapy for heteropathy'were lipid and atherosclerosis,calcium signaling pathway,cAMP signaling pathway,insulin resistance,cGMP-PKG signaling pathway,JAK-STAT signaling pathway,NF-κB signaling pathway,etc..The results of molecular docking suggested that there was a good binding activity between the main active component targets of Zhigancao Decoction and the core targets of'homotherapy for heteropathy'.Conclusion Zhigancao Decoction mainly regulates JAK-STAT,NF-κB,cAMP and other signaling pathways,acts on IL-6,STAT3,TNF,MMP-9 and other gene targets,and exerts the effect of'homotherapy for heteropathy'on coronary heart disease arrhythmia and pulmonary fibrosis.

Background Traditionally,displaced greater tuberosify fractures are treated with open reduction and internal fixation.Arthroscopic treatment and outcome of greater tuberosity fractures is far from comprehensive.The objective of the current study was to assess the surgical procedure and outcome of an arthroscopic method in the treatment of isolated greater tuberosity fractures.@@Methods From January 2006 to December 2009,23 patients with isolated greater tuberosity fractures were treated with an arthroscopic procedure using three cannulated screws combined with washers.During follow-up,radiographs and the constant shoulder score (CSS) were used to evaluate the outcome.@@Results Three cannulated screws with washers were used to fix the fractured fragment of the greater tuberosity under an arthroscope.All incisions healed at primary intention without infection.The mean duration of follow-up was 20 months (range 18-36 months).Fracture fixation was excellent,and fractures healed 2-6 months (mean 3.8 months) after surgery.At final follow-up,the CSS was 92 (range 86-100).@@Conclusions The described arthroscopic procedure provides anatomical reduction and firm fixation for isolated greater tuberosity fractures.It is a successful and minimally invasive procedure with satisfying therapeutic effects as well as excellent functional recovery.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of left ventricular shape index (SI) and eccentricity index (EI) in evaluating left ventricular remodeling.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 324 patients (264 males, 60 females, age (62.5±11.8) years) diagnosed with myocardial infarction (MI) and 113 healthy controls (HC; 47 males, 66 females, age (57.8±10.7) years) who received gated myocardial perfusion imaging (GMPI) in First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2016 to September 2020. SI (end-diastolic SI (EDSI), end-systolic SI (ESSI)), EI and left ventricular function parameters (end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), summed motion score (SMS), summed thickening score (STS), peak ejection rate (PER) and peak filling rate (PFR)) were obtained by quantitative gated SPECT (QGS) software. Propensity score (PS) inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance the intergroup covariates. The differences and correlations of EDSI, ESSI, EI and left ventricular function parameters between patients in MI group and HC group were analyzed. ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the values of EDV, EDSI, ESSI and EI alone and in combination in the assessment of left ventricular systolic function impairment. Data were analyzed by independent-sample t test, Pearson correlation and Spearman rank correlation analyses, and Delong test. Results:After IPTW, EDSI and ESSI in MI group ( n=319) were higher than those in HC group ( n=133; EDSI: 0.66±0.09 vs 0.60±0.06; ESSI: 0.59±0.11 vs 0.47±0.07; t values: 8.05, 14.67, both P<0.001), and EI was lower than that in HC group (0.81±0.06 vs 0.85±0.03; t=-8.93, P<0.001). In both groups, there were significant correlations between EDSI and ESSI ( r values: 0.928, 0.873), between EDSI, ESSI and EI ( r values: from -0.831 to -0.641), between EDSI, ESSI and LVEF ( r values: from -0.627 to -0.201), between ESSI and EDV, ESV and SMS ( rs values: 0.336-0.584), between ESSI and -PER, PFR ( rs values: from -0.406 to -0.402, r values: from -0.352 to -0.325) (all P<0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that EDV (AUC: 0.895) and ESSI (AUC: 0.839) had the highest efficacy in evaluating left ventricular systolic function impairment in MI group and HC group, respectively. EDV-EDSI-ESSI-(1-EI) had higher efficacy in the assessment of impaired left ventricular systolic function in MI group (AUC: 0.956), which was higher than that of EDV or EDV-EDSI or EDV-ESSI or EDV-(1-EI) ( z values: from -2.64 to -2.18, P values: 0.008-0.029); EDV-EDSI-ESSI-(1-EI) also had high efficacy in HC group (AUC: 0.911), which was higher than that of EDV or EDV-EDSI or EDV-(1-EI) ( z values: from -2.60 to -2.43, P values: 0.009-0.015). Conclusions:In MI patients, the increase of SI and the decrease of EI indicate the increase of left ventricular sphericity and the aggravation of left ventricular remodeling. SI and EI have certain clinical application values in evaluating left ventricular morphology, predicting left ventricular remodeling and left ventricular systolic function impairment.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common complaint that is closely related to gastrointestinal symptoms, which is consistent with the traditional Chinese medicine classical theory of "stomach disharmony leading to restless sleep." Acupuncture is an effective complementary and alternative medicine therapy to improve gastrointestinal function and restore the normal sleep-wake cycle. However, studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture for insomnia due to spleen-stomach disharmony syndrome are limited to case reports and few randomized controlled trials; deeper research on its mechanism is still lacking. This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the treatment efficacy of "harmonizing stomach to tranquilize mind" acupuncture for insomnia and its influence on the intestinal microbiome. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group study. Sixty eligible patients with insomnia due to spleen-stomach disharmony syndrome will be randomly divided into two groups (1:1 allocation ratio). The intervention group will use "harmonizing stomach to tranquilize mind" acupuncture, and the control group will receive sham acupuncture. Participants will receive 5 acupuncture treatment sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index will be used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment by making assessments at baseline, the end of treatment and the end of the follow-up. High-throughput 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene sequencing will be performed to detect changes in the intestinal microbial composition before and after treatment. DISCUSSION: The results of this trial are expected to confirm that "harmonizing stomach to tranquilize mind" acupuncture can effectively relieve insomnia and alter the intestinal microbiome. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trials Registry: ChiCTR1800017092.